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Pointless is resuming filming later this year and you can apply now

Applications are now open for the next series of the hit BBC gameshow.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 25th August 2020
BBC / Pointless

Hit BBC primetime gameshow Pointless is set to return to filming later this year and applications for contestants to appear on the new series is now open.

Pointless first hit screens in the UK back in 2009 and it’s been a mainstay of BBC tea time television ever since.

Pointless co-host and resident ‘know-it-all’ Richard Osman confirmed via his newsletter earlier this month that: “[They] will be filming 226 new episodes of Pointless and Pointless Celebrities, starting later this year” and added that he is “very excited to be getting back into the studio with my lovely colleague and friend, Xander.”

He also took to Twitter this week to recruit members of the public into submitting an application and to get fans of the show excited for the new series.

His tweet read: “Would you like to be on telly? Have you heard of Vanuatu? Would you like to see how nice Alexander Armstrong is IN REAL LIFE?

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“Applications for the next series of Pointless are now open.”

A statement on the application process published to the BBC Pointless website also reads: “Could you trust your mum, brother, housemate, or your partner to help you win big under pressure? We would love to hear from pairs of fun, lively people who think they can take up the Pointless challenge.”

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Alongside the application process, you’ll also need to send in a recent photo or video of yourself and your fellow applicant. 

Competing pairs can be of any relation to each other, but all applicants must be over 18 years of age and a current legal resident of the United Kingdom.

BBC / Pointless

The closing date for applications is Monday 1st February 2021.

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Whilst you do have up until the above date to get your application in, it does confirm on the Pointless website that auditions for the next series are due to begin taking place over the coming weeks, so members of the public are encouraged to apply now.

There’s no time like the present.

Although no starting dates for the new series have been confirmed yet, Richard himself reckons that they could be back in the studio (minus a live audience) in November, and will be able to welcome audiences again in the new year.

Do you think you’re clever enough for the challenge then? Fancy walking away with a “coveted Pointless trophy” and a potential cash prize?

You can apply to be a contestant on the next series of Pointless here.

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Manchester has been named one of the most ‘caring’ cities in the UK

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A new study has revealed the cities which are deemed to be the most ‘caring’ in the UK, and Manchester features proudly on the list.

Because of course it does.

In case you missed it, last week, our city was awarded the not-so-coveted title of the UK’s rudest city, which, it’s fair to say, definitely got Mancs talking, and had a lot of people in denial too, as they just couldn’t seem to wrap their heads around the bold claims.

But now, we’ve got a new title that brushes those claims of rudeness right under the carpet… and that’s because Manchester has also been named one of the most ‘caring’ cities in the UK.

Now, that sounds more like the Manchester we know and love, right?

From donating blood, to volunteering for charity and helping out with neighbourhood tasks, there’s so many ways to lend a hand and support your local community – but which UK cities are the best at this? Ultimately, which UK cities are the most caring? Well, in a bid to answer this question, the life insurance team over at Compare the Market has analysed 30 of the country’s most populated cities to determine which of them are the most ‘community-minded’.

Manchester has been named one of the most ‘caring’ cities in the UK / Credit: iStockPhoto

The research study has taken into account a wide range of factors – with everything from recycling habits, the amount of fly-tipping incidents, and crime levels, to the number of charities, blood drives, and community centres in each city considered.

Manchester has found itself firmly within the top five, claiming the third spot on the list, largely thanks to having the highest number of charities per 10,000 people of any location in the whole study (52), which equates to an impressive 2,063 in total – with 31 of these dedicated to animals.

Top 10 most ‘caring’ cities in the UK

  1. Leeds
  2. Bradford
  3. Manchester
  4. Milton Keynes
  5. Wolverhampton
  6. Reading
  7. Bristol
  8. Hull
  9. Cardiff
  10. Coventry

There’s also plenty of opportunities to give blood here in Manchester too, with nine blood donation centres dotted around the city, as well as 51 community centres for anyone looking for a supportive space, or for somewhere that might offer activities or volunteer projects to get involved with.

The North features heavily within the top 10, with the Yorkshire cities Bradford and Hull also finding themselves on the list, and the title of the UK’s most ‘caring’ city also being awarded to the ever-popular Yorkshire city of Leeds.

Read more:

What do we think to this then? Rudest city what? After all, we know us Mancs are a caring bunch… but it’s always nice to have a study prove it.

Keep being ace, Manchester.

Featured Image – Matthew Waring (via Unsplash)

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Eurovision 2024 final to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester next month.

Following the success of the first-ever live streams of Europe’s biggest party onto the big screen when it was held on British soil in Liverpool last year, cinemas up and down the UK are set to come together once again to celebrate 2024’s edition of the major night in the music calendar by hosting the ultimate viewing events.

The epic Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 11 May will be broadcast live on BBC One, and streamed into more than 100 cinemas nationwide – including several in Greater Manchester.

Hosted by CinemaLive, the live stream events will allow Eurovision fans to gather under one roof and be “united by music” to share in the unbeatable experience of celebrating the brightest and boldest music party of the year on the big screen.

Eurovision 2024 final to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester / Credit: Cinema Live | Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

You may remember that Sweden is hosting Eurovision this year, following the Scandinavian country’s well-deserved victory at the 2023 contest with the song ‘Tattoo’ performed by Loreen.

But thanks to these live stream events, you won’t need to make the trip to Malmö to get in on the action, as you’ll just need to nip down to your nearest participating cinema instead.

Not only will the long-awaited final of the show be streamed live onto the big screen in 5.1 surround sound, but fans are invited to bring their Eurovision parties from the front room to the cinema instead, as organisers say fancy dress is “heavily encouraged” as are enthusiastic sing-alongs too.

Speaking ahead of the event next month, John Travers from distributors CinemaLive, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring Eurovision’s grand final live into cinemas across the UK for the second year in a row.

“We want audiences to enjoy themselves, so come along in groups, get your fancy dress on, and join together to enjoy this incredible occasion on the big screen”.

Tickets are now live and available to book at your local cinema here.

Read more:

Some of the participating Greater Manchester cinemas include Vue Manchester Printworks, Everymans in Manchester city centre and Altrincham, The Light in Stockport, and Cineworld in Didsbury, among others.

Featured Image – Nick Robinson (via BBC)

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